1987 250 Quadrunner...Starter Won't Crank

[Parham]

My starter seemed to be "dragging" for a few weeks.  I thought my battery was going bad.  Bought a new battery, charged it fully, and still no change.  Relay clicks and starter MIGHT, reluctantly, turn engine slowly one or two revolutions.  Somebody (Mech?) please point me in the right direction...what connections/wires have come loose?

[davefrombc]

The brushes in your starter  might be badly worn.  They are replaceable

[Mech]

Yup I'd definitely be suspecting the brushes in the starter. They wear out quite regularly, and sometimes get stuck in their holder.

The easy way to test them is to use two jumper leads and jump from the battery to earht, and from the battery positive straight onto the starter motor's live terminal. That eliminates the battery cables, bad connections, relays and switches. If it doesn't spin over then whip the starter out and dismantle it. The new brushes get sold with new springs and brushes all mounted on a new steel plate you just slip straight in..  Simple job. Cheap too.

[Parham]

Thanks Mech...do you know an online supplier for the brushes?  Are they universal or will I have to look for a number on the starter?

[Mech]

I think the starter motors are fairly common and fit other makes as well. I just take the old plate with brushes to my local bike shop and the girl whips out three boxes of starter brush sets and gives me the ones that match mine. I think there are one or two makes and models of starter that do a lot of make quads.

If you get the numbers off the motor though you could search, or look up the genuine starter or parts and search for those numbers. I'm pretty sure you'll find they are common.

Edited June 27, 2024 by Mech

[Parham]

Mech has done it again! Thank you.  Easy repair! And CHEAP too!